Meet Rose

by Sherryl Clark

  ‘Just the person to brighten up my morning,’ she said. ‘Come in.’

  Aunt Alice was still in her nightdress, with a beautiful silk kimono over the top. The material was soft and flowing, with pink and green butterflies all over it.

  ‘No Miss Parson today?’

  ‘She’s ill,’ Rose said. She hesitated. ‘May I ask you something?’

  ‘Of course.’ Aunt Alice waited, her teacup cradled in her hands.

  There was no point telling Aunt Alice about the scene with Mother, and Rose still felt guilty about her rudeness. But she needed help with the plan she’d worked out. ‘I want to borrow your books,’ she began.

  ‘Of course. Treasure Island is there, and Mark Twain’s stories are fun.’

  ‘No, I mean all the other ones.’ Rose pointed at the shelves against the wall. ‘Maybe I could start with that Smaller History of Greece, and read the harder ones later.’

  ‘You mean you want to teach yourself?’ Aunt Alice’s blue eyes were serious.

  Rose felt shy. ‘I’d really like it if you were my governess,’ Rose said. ‘But you might be leaving soon.’

  ‘I’ll have to eventually,’ said Aunt Alice. She sipped her tea and gazed out of the window. ‘I need to earn a living, and not rely on your father to support me.’

  ‘But he has pots of money! He doesn’t mind.’

  ‘No, but your mother does.’ Aunt Alice smiled wryly. ‘I think that’s a wonderful idea, Rose. You can borrow any books you like, and you can discuss them with me. But, you know, the ideal would be for your mother to send you to school.’

  ‘I so wish she would! Why is Mother so …’ Rose couldn’t think of a polite way to say it.

  ‘Upset with you? With me?’

  Rose nodded.

  ‘Do you know where your mother’s family comes from?’ Aunt Alice asked.

  ‘England?’ Rose wasn’t sure. She knew Grandmother and Aunt Philippa were the only members of the family remaining. Grandfather had died a long time ago.

  ‘Yes. Your grandfather was very rich, and then he lost all his money and died of a heart problem. Philippa had already married your uncle Charles, who was even richer, so he ended up supporting all of them.’

  Uncle Charles really is kind, Rose thought.

  ‘Your mother was engaged to marry a lord in London, but he called off the wedding when her family went broke. So Charles came to Australia with Philippa and your mother, and has done even better here.’

  Rose couldn’t believe it. ‘Mother was meant to marry a lord in London? What about Father?’

  As if realising she had said too much, Aunt Alice bit her bottom lip. ‘Let’s just say that your mother has had some big disappointments, and sometimes she wishes her life were different. Really, she just wants the best for you.’

  ‘It doesn’t seem like it,’ Rose said. ‘I’m not allowed to do anything interesting. I haven’t even got anyone to play cricket with. And I’m good at it, Aunt Alice, really I am – even Edward says so.’

  ‘I’d love to see you play. Perhaps one day we could all have a game. Now, is your mother going out today?’

  ‘Yes, she’s joined the Temperance Union and they have a luncheon every Friday.’

  ‘Ah yes,’ Aunt Alice said. ‘The society of ladies who want to stop men drinking alcohol. They’d be better off putting their good works into getting the vote.’ She put her cup down with a clatter. ‘Never mind that. I’ll tell John to get the buggy ready, and after your mother has left we’ll go into town. And I know what we’ll do – I’ll take you to a coffee palace for lunch. It’ll be your extra birthday present.’

  ‘Really?’ Rose jumped up and hugged her aunt. ‘That will be marvellous. I’ve never been to a coffee palace. May I have whatever I want to eat?’

  ‘Of course you may. Now go and find something to wear that you like, and we’ll be ready to leave when the coast is clear.’

  A question niggled at Rose. ‘Are we not going to tell Mother?’

  ‘Do you want to?’ Aunt Alice asked. ‘You know she will probably forbid you to go.’

  Rose hunched her shoulders. ‘Yes. But …’

  ‘We could stop by the Emporium and ask your father to come with us. How about that?’

  ‘Yes.’ Rose smiled. She’d love to go out with Father and Aunt Alice together – away from Mother, Father was jolly good fun.

  Rose put on her best green serge dress, one that still fitted her comfortably, and her boots, and a straw hat that sat on her curls. She tucked her gloves in a bag with a handkerchief and went downstairs. Aunt Alice was already in the hallway, talking to Sally.

  ‘So she usually arrives home around three o’clock?’

  Sally nodded. ‘John’s bringing the horse and buggy around from the stables. The mistress went in someone else’s carriage today.’

  Aunt Alice and Rose climbed in, and John sat at the front and took the reins. They were soon trotting towards the city, past large houses like theirs, then down the hill past smaller ones, and along Burwood Road, which was lined with shops and hotels. Aunt Alice said, ‘Even in a year, this place has changed. The city grows bigger and bigger.’

  As they swung around a corner, Rose pointed up the street. ‘Look! A tram. I’d love to ride on one of those.’

  ‘We can certainly do that,’ said Aunt Alice. She tapped John on the shoulder. ‘Stop by the next tram station. Rose wants to ride on a tram.’

  John grinned. ‘Would you like me to follow you into town, then?’

  ‘No, thank you, we can hire a cab to bring us home.’

  Rose stared at her aunt in astonishment. ‘Do you mean it? I can really ride on the tram?’

  ‘It’s only a tram, Rose, not an elephant. Although an elephant sways as much.’ Rose goggled at the thought of Aunt Alice riding an elephant. What fun! They clambered out of the buggy and Aunt Alice waved at the tram driver as the machine clanked closer and closer. ‘Inside or out?’

  ‘Outside,’ Rose said. ‘I want to watch the grip man.’

  When the tram came to a squeaking stop, they climbed aboard. Aunt Alice faced outwards and Rose knelt on the wooden seat, watching as the driver clanged the bell, gripped the huge levers in the centre between the seats and pushed one forward. Below the tram, the hook grabbed onto the cable under the road and the tram took off with a jerk. Luckily, Rose was expecting it and she hung on tightly.

  The grip man saluted her cheerily and then went back to concentrating on his levers. Rose turned around and sat next to her aunt. ‘This is so jolly. I’d like to be a grip man when I grow up.’ She laughed at Aunt Alice’s startled expression. ‘Don’t worry, I know I wouldn’t be strong enough. I still want to drive a car, though. Father said he might buy one.’

  ‘You should definitely learn to drive then,’ Aunt Alice said. ‘But don’t forget about university.’

  ‘That’s why I’m going to teach myself,’ Rose said. ‘Nobody studies embroidery and letter writing at university.’

  ‘Martha and Edward are both at school. I’m sure you will go, too, one day.’ She nudged Rose. ‘Never forget, Rose, that your life is actually very privileged. At least you will never live like those people over there.’

  Rose looked across the street and sucked in a breath. A family was standing outside a rundown house, with their worn and broken belongings piled on the muddy path. The mother was arguing with a man, shouting and tearing her hair. Her three children clung to her skirts, crying loudly.

  ‘Are they being made to leave their house?’ Rose asked. Aunt Alice nodded.

  ‘That’s dreadful,’ Rose whispered. ‘Can’t we help?’

  ‘That same thing happens many times every day,’ Aunt Alice said. ‘When you are poor, you have no right to anything, not even a roof over your head.’

  ‘Watch the corner!’ the grip man called, and everyone held on tight as the tram swung around on the track.

  Rose was silent for a few moments. ‘Is that how Mother felt, when her fathe
r lost all his money and they were poor in London?’

  ‘Quite possibly. Although she would not have been shouting and crying in public. But alone, in her room, feeling embarrassed and angry, thinking that everyone was talking about her … yes, I think so.’

  ‘Oh.’ Rose was quiet for the rest of the journey, enjoying the tram and the world gliding past. At the last stop, the grip man asked her if she’d like to ring the bell, and she jumped up on the seat to pull the rope. Clang, clang!

  ‘That was the best part of all,’ she told her aunt when they got off the tram in Collins Street. It had rained earlier, and the horses and carts, hansom cabs and carriages splashed through the puddles. Rose marvelled at the tall buildings – some were more than eight storeys high!

  They made their way to the McCubbin Emporium in Bourke Street, and climbed to the top floor, to Father’s office.

  ‘What a delightful interruption,’ he said, coming out from behind his huge wooden desk. He kissed them both. ‘What can I do for you?’

  ‘I’m taking Rose out to luncheon for her birthday, which I missed. We hoped you’d come with us.’

  Father sighed. ‘I’m sorry, I can’t. I have an important meeting shortly.’ He ruffled Rose’s hair and straightened. ‘Alice, I hope you didn’t take offence at Elizabeth’s … comments.’

  Aunt Alice smiled brightly, but Rose could see it was forced. ‘It’s fine, Daniel. But I have my heart set on my own school one day, and working as a governess for women who think in such opposite ways to myself is something I cannot bring myself to do. I hope you won’t mind if I stay on with you a little longer.’

  Father gave Aunt Alice a kiss on her cheek. ‘As long as you want to. You know how much I enjoy your company.’

  ‘Thank you.’ She smiled at Rose, this time a genuine smile. ‘Let’s go and indulge ourselves.’

  ‘I recommend Parer’s Crystal Palace,’ Father said. ‘Their beef is the best in town.’

  ‘Then that is where we’ll go,’ Aunt Alice announced.

  It wasn’t until they were standing back on Bourke Street that Aunt Alice said, ‘I was hoping he’d say that. Your mother wouldn’t approve, but it’s your father’s idea. Perfect!’

  Rose nodded excitedly, pushing away the familiar uneasy feeling.

  Parer’s wasn’t far from the Emporium. It was a four-storey building with a cafe, billiard rooms, private dining rooms, accommodation and a saloon. As Aunt Alice steered Rose into the cafe, she gaped at her surroundings – walls lined with framed mirrors, furniture covered in plush materials, thick velvet curtains draping the windows and fountains trickling water while music played.

  A waitress seated them at a table and Aunt Alice read the menu.

  ‘Have anything you fancy,’ she said.

  ‘Not tongue,’ Rose said, ‘or quail or oysters.’ She inspected what the customers at other tables were eating. ‘That looks nice. What is it?’

  Aunt Alice asked the waitress.

  ‘That’s a Chinese dish, Madam,’ she said, frowning at Rose. ‘The little girl might not like it.’

  ‘What’s in it?’ Rose asked.

  ‘Chicken. Vegetables. A black sauce made from beans.’ The waitress shrugged. ‘Some customers say it’s real tasty.’

  ‘I’ll have that,’ Rose said. ‘And peach pie.’

  ‘I’ll have the same,’ said Aunt Alice.

  ‘Really?’ Rose asked. ‘It might taste awful.’

  ‘Couldn’t be any worse than boiled mutton. And a sight better than tongue.’

  Rose couldn’t stop staring at all the grand decorations. Paintings of woodlands and fox hunts, golden cherubs with wings in the corners, even striped wallpaper. Above them, a chandelier sparkled like jewels. ‘How beautiful,’ she whispered.

  ‘It’s an electric one,’ Aunt Alice said. ‘Not gas, like your lights at home.’

  ‘Father wants to put electricity in,’ Rose said, ‘but Mother says she doesn’t like it. She should come here and see how wonderful it looks.’

  Aunt Alice laughed. ‘I don’t think your mother would set foot in here.’

  ‘Why not?’

  ‘This coffee palace has a licence to sell alcohol, and as a member of the Temperance Union, she’d see this as a place of sin.’

  Rose leaned back in her chair, feeling sick. ‘We mustn’t tell her I was here!’

  ‘I won’t, don’t worry.’ Aunt Alice frowned. ‘Rose … I’m not trying to get you into trouble with your mother, but … I suspect it’s going to happen anyway.’

  ‘I’m always in trouble,’ Rose said, fidgeting with the edge of the embroidered tablecloth. ‘I’m not graceful and elegant like Martha. I’d like to take that stupid corset and throw it in the Yarra.’

  Aunt Alice sighed. ‘I’m convinced the things make you ill and, at the very least, damage your ribs and back bone.’

  The waitress arrived at their table, carrying two large plates of steaming food. ‘Here you go, Miss. I hope you like it.’ She sounded doubtful, but Aunt Alice smiled up at her.

  ‘It smells delicious. Almost as good as frogs’ legs or French garlic snails.’

  The waitress looked at her as if she were mad. Rose giggled. ‘Have you really eaten frogs’ legs and snails?’

  ‘Not yet, but I might one day.’ Aunt Alice picked up her fork and speared a piece of chicken. ‘However, I have eaten Chinese food, and I know how tasty it is. Have some, Rose – you did choose it, after all.’

  Rose tasted her chicken tentatively, and smiled. ‘It’s scrumptious! It tastes like … nothing I’ve ever eaten before.’ She tucked into the plate full of chicken and multi-coloured vegetables with gusto, and finished before Aunt Alice was halfway through.

  ‘Ooh,’ said Rose, ‘that was so good.’

  ‘WHILE I’m finishing my lunch,’ Aunt Alice said, ‘you can think about where you’d like to go afterwards. The second half of your birthday treat. Anywhere you like. Even the public library, if you want to.’

  Rose thought of all the thousands of books there, and the reading room and the big statues outside. Then she thought of the Botanical Gardens, with the lake and the little bridge. What about the Eastern markets – she’d heard they had fortune tellers who could tell your future. Then she knew exactly where she wanted to go.

  ‘Coles Arcade,’ she said. She added, ‘And we definitely can’t tell Mother.’

  It was Aunt Alice’s turn to smile and nod.

  Rose couldn’t quite believe she was going to walk right inside Coles Arcade and see everything she’d heard about! She wanted to leap around like a circus acrobat.

  Over the front entrance arched a huge rainbow, and in the window was a display of the famous Funny Picture Books. Rose stopped for a moment to gaze in, then stepped over the threshold. What a sight! Rows and rows and rows of books, with ladders to climb to the highest shelves, and comfortable chairs to sit and read in. Signs said ‘Read for as long as you like – nobody asked to buy’. There was even a magical toy hen that laid eggs.

  ‘Do you want to try?’ Aunt Alice asked.

  ‘Ooh, yes, please.’ Rose took a penny from her aunt and dropped it into the slot on the hen. There were clicks and whirring noises, a noisy clucking and ping! A small metal tin shaped like an egg dropped out of the hen.

  ‘Goodness!’ Rose said, picking it up. She prised the egg open and inside lay some little round sweets, one of which she popped into her mouth. ‘Mmm, strawberry.’

  Rose was just putting the tin in her little bag when she noticed a large cage, and something skimming back and forth on a swing. Was it a parrot? She peered into the cage and her mouth fell open. ‘It can’t be true. I’m dreaming.’ She turned to Aunt Alice, hopping up and down with excitement. ‘It’s a monkey, a real live monkey!’

  Aunt Alice nodded. ‘There are some more on the top floor, and some beautiful parrots behind all those ferns. I tell you what,’ she said, ‘why don’t you go and look at everything to your heart’s content, and I will be over
there in the poetry section.’

  Rose was too excited to answer. She rushed off to explore. Yes, there were more monkeys that chattered, and a cockatoo with a yellow plume that squawked, ‘Read a book! Read a book!’ She climbed one of the tall shelf ladders and looked all the way down the arcade, past rows and rows of books with funny signs above them.

  When a big clock chimed three, Aunt Alice came to fetch Rose. ‘We need to leave. Your mother will be home soon, and we should arrive before her if we can.’ At Rose’s crestfallen face, she said, ‘Don’t worry, I’m sure we’ll be back another day.’

  Aunt Alice led the way out and stood at the edge of the footpath to wave down a cab. Rose, still thinking about the books and the monkeys, barely noticed a carriage roll past and a woman leaning out, a look of fury on her face. But Aunt Alice stiffened, and murmured, ‘Oh, dear.’

  ‘What’s the matter?’ Rose asked.

  ‘The woman in that carriage,’ she said, pointing at it as it rolled up Bourke Street and around the corner. ‘I think that was … your mother!’

  Rose gasped. ‘Holy smoke! She saw us?’

  Aunt Alice nodded, her mouth in a grim line. ‘I’m afraid she did.’

  AUNT Alice hailed a cab and they sped up Bourke Street, the horse’s mane and tail flying, as if it knew they were trying to beat Mother home.

  Rose dared to hope that they would indeed get there first. Trees and houses whipped past, and as the horse slowed on the hill up from the river, Aunt Alice leaned out and peered ahead. ‘There’s the carriage.’ She called up to the driver. ‘Take the next right, and then the left. Hurry!’

  The driver followed Aunt Alice’s directions, urging the horse on, and Rose realised they’d be entering their street from the other end. She leaned forward, craning her neck.

  If they were caught, Rose’d be writing lines for the next year! What would Aunt Alice’s punishment be? What if Mother put her out on the street? With all her trunks?